Houston Astros - TeamReport

February 26, 2013|Reuters

MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH

Right-handers Bud Norris and Lucas Harrell are locked in as the Astros' top-of-the-rotation starters. Righty Jordan Lyles has a tentative hold on spot No. 3. The back end of the rotation remains wide open, though, after two weeks of spring training and the initial run of exhibition games.

The early favorites: right-hander Philip Humber and lefty Erik Bedard. Both are veterans coming off rough years. But both have a strong chance to open the season as starting pitchers, even though the rebuilding club is more focused on its long-term future than on 2013.

Manager Bo Porter said before the start of the Astros' spring training game Feb. 25 against St. Louis he wanted to watch Humber's control on the mound.

The 30-year-old right-hander was on target during his first inning at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., collecting three quick outs on eight pitches and hitting 92 mph.

But Humber's second frame was rough. He walked three batters, threw a wild pitch and loaded the bases. It took two mound conferences to settle the former Rice University standout down. Humber eventually escaped after allowing just one run, though he threw 35 pitches (17 strikes) during the inning. He took the loss, and he wasn't pleased with his overall outing.

"I just didn't throw strikes, that's all it was," Humber said. "It's not the ideal second inning you want to have. But for my first time out there, I'm not going to beat myself up over it.

"When I came in the dugout, I told them, 'My bad. I'll try not to let that happen again.'"

Pitching coach Doug Brocail made the first visit to the mound, giving Humber a "breather" and allowing him to regroup. Humber's off-speed pitches were rarely right, though. And he acknowledged throwing a 3-2 breaking ball to Allen Craig, who led off the Cardinals' second, was "stupid."

Even so, Humber likely is still the favorite for the No. 4 starting job.

If Bedard is healthy and on target by the end of the spring, he'll likely trail Humber and close out the rotation.

Bedard, 33, showed good early movement on his breaking pitches, and Porter said Bedard's veteran mindset paid dividends during the first stage of camp.

"I was really impressed. His cutter was really good, his changeup was good," Porter said. "He actually threw a couple sliders that were back-foot sliders that were swing-and-miss."

After going 7-14 with a 5.01 ERA with Pittsburgh last year and having not won more than seven games since 2007 with Baltimore, Bedard sees potential in 2013, but he's not getting overexcited.

"I feel good," Bedard said, "but it's early."

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MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - NOTES, QUOTES

--OF Fernando Martinez declined to comment about being linked to the Miami-area Biogenesis of America clinic.

Martinez was one of five players linked to Biogenesis, according to an ESPN report. He was listed in Biogenesis documents as having received performance-enhancing drugs.

"Once the information came down, we felt the need to just bring him in and make sure that he understood that his name was implicated," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "But, again, we're not going to make any comments on it until we have concrete information."

--Minor league 1B Jonathan Singleton addressed the media six weeks after being suspended from baseball. Singleton was suspended 50-games Jan. 9 for failing a minor league drug test due to marijuana use. It was his second failed test.

"I believe this is an opportunity for me to leave the past behind and move forward," Singleton said. "It's time to show my true colors. ... I'm an honest, up-front guy, so you'll see who I am in the coming future."

Singleton, 21, hit .284 with 21 home runs and 79 RBI last season for Class AA Corpus Christi. He was recently rated the Astros' No. 2 overall prospect by Baseball America.

--RHP Jose Veras and RHP Rhiner Cruz were among five Astros named to final World Baseball Classic rosters.

Veras and Cruz have looked strong in Kissimmee, Fla. They are expected to hold key roles in a revamped Astros bullpen. Relief pitching was one of the club's many weak points in 2012.

--Just because seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens plans to spend more time around the Astros in 2013 doesn't mean he intends on coaching or managing full time.

Clemens said golf is a bigger part of his life than baseball now. Clemens stays around baseball to support his sons, both players, and because of a vow he made to his mother.

Clemens, 50, is scheduled to make three instructional appearances during Astros spring training. His first was a four-day session that runs through Feb. 27. However, he has no intention of permanently returning to a dugout in the near future.